The Cleveland Guardians have done an excellent job developing pitchers.

The team has also selected and developed good infielders.

The Guardians value defensive versatility. They also seek and develop switch-hitting players.

The club is at a crossroads with their infield candidates. To meet offensive needs, they may have to decide to keep, or try to trade from organizational infield depth.

The Guardians have a Gold Glove second baseman in Andres Gimenez. After an outstanding offensive year in 2022, he tailed off markedly at the plate for most of this season. However, his bat came to life in September.

After trading shortstop Amed Rosario, they now must determine their future starting shortstop.

Gimenez may be the best option to convert from second base to shortstop. That would open the second base role to a number of qualified internal candidates.

Infielders Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, Jose Tena, and Brayan Rocchio have all received playing time this season. Juan Brito and Angel Martinez wait in the wings.

With the exception of Brito, all the candidates have above average speed on the bases.

Here is this scout’s analysis of Guardians organizational infield candidates:

At 6-1, 217 pounds, Arias is a brilliant defender with great range, soft hands, excellent first-step quickness, and a very strong arm.

Arias can play all infield positions, including first base.

After getting playing time once Rosario was traded, Arias made better contact and improved somewhat as a hitter as his opportunities increased.

While Rosario was playing shortstop, this scout believes Arias should have been in minor league baseball working on his hitting. Instead, he was sitting on the bench as a Guardians utility player.

Still very young, Arias struggles to consistently hit big league pitching.

Arias is streaky, and holes in his offensive approach have been exposed. Especially his poor pitch recognition.

It remains to be seen if Arias has enough offense to win and keep the shortstop role.

At 6-0, 190 pounds, Freeman is a versatile infielder with good enough defensive ability to play all infield positions.

Freeman has adequate range, a good arm, and good baseball instincts.

Offensively, Freeman is a “spray” hitter with the capability of taking pitches to all fields. He has a good eye at the plate, makes contact, and can be trusted to offer a credible at-bat.

Freeman showed some home run power at the end of the season. Perhaps he could have been more helpful on offense if he were given more playing time this season. However, he was used mainly in a utility roll, and even then, very sparingly.

This scout feels he has a great deal to offer as a full time big league second baseman.

Tena is 5-11, 195 pounds.

Tena has an average bat from the left side, but he simply doesn’t have enough power yet to improve the Guardians run production.

Defensively, Tena has an adequate arm, adequate range, and is a tad above-average as a middle infielder. He does not have the arm strength or accuracy to play third base like Arias or Freeman.

Watching him in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, this scout evaluated an average utility player.

Rocchio is 5-10, 170 pounds.

To this scout, Rocchio has the most balanced upside of all Cleveland’s infield prospects.

Rocchio is still raw, but he has a solid bat, with emerging gap power. Home runs may be few and far between until he reaches full maturation.

Defensively, he may fit best in the middle infield, and not at third base. He can be a well above shortstop, with range, quickness, good hands, quick feet, and a strong enough, but average arm.

Rocchio’s switch-hitting ability is an asset.

To this scout, Rocchio needs a bit more minor league development. But he projects to become a starting big league middle infielder.

At 5-11, 205 pounds, Brito was obtained from the Colorado Rockies in a trade for former Guardians prospect, Nolan Jones.

The switch-hitting Brito has flashed a balance of good hitting, and adequate enough defense in his development.

Brito may have more power than all the other middle infield candidates, making the controversial trade for Jones become worthwhile.

Brito’s ability to hit against any pitcher will be a huge benefit that fits the mold of the Guardians.

To this scout, Brito profiles best as a second baseman. His lack of range and limited speed are his major issues. But, he can hit.

Another switch-hitter, Angel Martinez has an emerging bat, but with little power.

After watching him in the Arizona Fall League, this scout found his defense wanting.

With an arm strong enough to play third base, Martinez does not appear to have the range or quickness to be a starting shortstop.

Martinez profiles to have little run-producing impact at the plate.

Based upon ability on both sides of the ball, foot speed, and other intangibles, this scout grades the Guardians infielders as follows: (In alphabetical order.)

Arias-Grade 50 (offense 45, defense 60)

Brito-Grade 55 (offense 60, defense 45)

Freeman-Grade 50+ (offense 55, defense 50)

Martinez-Grade 45 (offense 45, defense 45)

Rocchio-Grade 55 (offense 55, defense 55)

Tena-Grade 45 (offense 45, defense 45)

55= Regular player with above average Major League ability

50= Regular player with average Major League ability

45= Major League Utility Player

In today’s game, while defense is important, offense is king. Base stealing speed and ability help greatly. Overall scouting grades skew to offense.

Trading from their infield depth to obtain impact outfielders should be on the Guardians agenda.

However, it might be possible the Guardians have evaluated their infielders higher than conclusions reached by opposing clubs, making trading from that depth a challenge.